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Kiwi F4U-1A/-1D Weaponary


draggie748

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Hi People, I'm after info on the Weapons the Kiwi Corsairs used in the SWPA.

Did they use US bombs or underwing rockets or both? I take any bombs would have been carried on the under fuselage pylons?

 

Thanks for your time with this query.

 

Phil Hastie

Canberra "The Nation's Capital"

Australia

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1 hour ago, draggie748 said:

Hi People, I'm after info on the Weapons the Kiwi Corsairs used in the SWPA.

Did they use US bombs or underwing rockets or both? I take any bombs would have been carried on the under fuselage pylons?

 

Hi Phil,

RNZAF F4U-1D's never had the Plumbing/stubs for the Rockets, FG-1D did,

but rockets were never used.

 

Given that the RNZAF was attached to the USN, during WWII Standard US armaments,

Aircrew would often wear US issued flying equipment too

 

The F4U-1A used the "Brewster" bomb brace as below (Daisy Cutter type bomb)

PR5751.t5e97789d.m600.xbJ2GP5Kx.jpg

(RNZAF Official - RNZAF Museum - Used with Permissions)

Standard Bombs

PR5250.t5e9dfe16.m600.xqwZ94_0k.jpg

(RNZAF Official - RNZAF Museum - Used with Permissions)

 

F4U-1D/FG-1D could also carry 450lb Depth Charges as below - set at zero feet, were perfect for

De-vegetating large areas of jungle

PR5057.t5ec03ae1.m600.x_1QQgv8H.jpg

(RNZAF Official - RNZAF Museum - Used with Permissions)

 

These below are FG-1D's (tell by the Rocket stubs under wings)

PR7622.t5e977848.m800.xZXS5kAta.jpg

(RNZAF Official - RNZAF Museum - Used with Permissions)

 

You could always do the "Triple Drop Tank" arrangement?

RNZAF F4U-1D's Corsairs at Jacquinot Bay, New Britain after RNZAF units departed Green Island.

PR6762.t5ebf09dd.m600.x5slN3Rlx.jpg

(RNZAF Official - RNZAF Museum - Used with Permissions)

 

Hope that helps you in your build?

 

Rwgards

 

Alan

 

Edited by LDSModeller
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4 hours ago, 72modeler said:

Hoping you and yours are OK where you are!

Hi Mike,

 

Yes we're all good thanks, though trying to

BBQ on Christmas/Boxing days was a rather windy affair

even though it's Summer here :thumbsup:

 

Regards

 

Alan

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  • 2 weeks later...
On 12/28/2020 at 4:27 AM, LDSModeller said:

RNZAF F4U-1D's Corsairs at Jacquinot Bay, New Britain after RNZAF units departed Green Island.

Alan,

 

Looking at this photo again- was the apparently white band on the props and the white prop dome a flight color? Never saw this before! Just curious.

Mike

 

BTW- we put some steaks on the grill Christmas Day here, too, but it was warm and sunny- typical South Central Texas winter weather! :giggle:

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3 hours ago, 72modeler said:

Looking at this photo again- was the apparently white band on the props and the white prop dome a flight color? Never saw this before! Just curious.

 

Hi Mike,

 

There was a discussion (some time ago now) about this same Propeller, on an RNZAF

Forum here in New Zealand.

It simply came down to a Prop that had been foraged, most likely

from either a USN/USMC Corsair (RNZAF shared same airstrips with them) to replace

a damaged one.

It wasn't uncommon for the odd RNZAF aircraft (Corsairs more noticeable) to have different coloured

panels etc. Couple of Photos below showing a Cowling Ring and replacement panel off a GSB

painted Corsair on a Tri Coloured one.

Not sure whether the Cowling Ring is White or Yellow

PR7142.t5e9b5f06.m600.xBEoc2YWb.jpg

(RNZAF Official - RNZAF Museum - Used with Permissions)

Replacement panel on NZ5393 in foreground

PR4874.t5ebf0762.m600.xFEmsdLc2.jpg

(RNZAF Official - RNZAF Museum - Used with Permissions)

 

Whilst the USN/USMC had reasonably good resupply, replacement parts always were the type

needed now :waiting: , so the RNZAF along with USN/USMC Servicing personnel would forage/ cannibalise

non flyable/non repairable airframes

ALB86260103.t5e7cef9a.m600.xcL9Mfk1w.jpg

(RNZAF Official - RNZAF Museum - Used with Permissions)

 

The photo below is a prime example of reducing to produce - this a fire damaged airframe

PR5738.t5d8a6c99.m800.xztuzPWMy.jpg

(RNZAF Official - RNZAF Museum - Used with Permissions)

 

Of course if you couldn't find a convenient part nearby - why not make one

PR4357.t5ebdc8df.m600.xIIDIUPL3.jpg

(RNZAF Official - RNZAF Museum - Used with Permissions)

 

Of course you know about the Spliced RNZAF Corsair with the two different coloured F4U-1a Fuselage parts.

There was a either a USN or USMC Corsair, where one half of the fuselage was of a US bird, and other half off an

RNZAF bird (complete with Roundel) - I'll have to see if I can find the photo.

There is a story Wally Ingham tells in his Book "Avengers" (Wally served with 30/31 SU in the Pacific), where he and another

SU member were foraging for parts in the Jungle when a US Servicemen told them that there were still Japanese troops in

the Jungle nearby - fun times;)

- I have done anymore BBQing since Christmas/Boxing Days - but plenty more Summer days ahead yet:D

 

Regards

 

Alan

Edited by LDSModeller
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20 hours ago, LDSModeller said:

RNZAF along with USN/USMC Servicing personnel would forage/ cannibalise

non flyable/non repairable airframes

I'm guessing there was no such thing as a "numbers matching" USMC or RNZAF  Corsair in the Pacific! :giggle: Thanks for taking the time to post the photos, Alan! (Looks like in the last photo the ground crew was making a new forging and BBQ'ing at the same time!)

Mike

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On 1/9/2021 at 5:09 AM, 72modeler said:

Alan,

 

Looking at this photo again- was the apparently white band on the props and the white prop dome a flight color? Never saw this before! Just curious.

Mike

 

BTW- we put some steaks on the grill Christmas Day here, too, but it was warm and sunny- typical South Central Texas winter weather! :giggle:

Hi Mike. Unfortunately, Alan has this wrong..the white bands on the prop blades and white prop hubs WAS a identifier used by Number 3 Servicing Unit for it's charges while operating from Green Island after it's occupation by US and New Zealand troops. There is a sequence of official RNZAF photos taken both on Green Island, and after the move by No.3 S.U. to Jacquinot Bay on New Britain One or two have been posted by Alan, but I've attached a few more as follows. All photos other than the model are Air Force Museum Of New Zealand copyright.

 

FEYlmsH.jpg

 

PR5250: Group of No. 3 Servicing Unit Armament Section personnel in front of a Corsair.  Green Island 1945.

 

LyZ0DS7.jpg

 

PR6754: Corsair NZ5440 from No.3 Servicing Unit about to land on the airstrip at Jacquinot Bay, New Britain after RNZAF units moved from Green Island. Named 'Lil Audrey'.

 

RamazVs.jpg

 

PR6755: Corsair NZ5410 (also from No.3 S.U.) equipped with long range fuel tanks about to land on the airstrip at Jacquinot Bay, New Britain after RNZAF units departed Green Island.

 

uENlVjc.jpg

 

PR6758: Airmen and natives with Chance Vought Corsair '76' ( ) at Jacquinot Bay, New Britain after RNZAF units arrived from Green Island. No.3 S.U.

 

3PmUqBB.jpg

 

PR6761: Australian soldiers, New Zealand servicemen and local men shelter in the shade with a line up of Corsairs at Jacquinot Bay, New Britain, after RNZAF units arrived from Green Island. 

 

OI9QCS8.jpg

 

PR6763: RNZAF Airmen, Australian soldiers and natives with F4U-ID Corsair at Jacquinot Bay, New Britain, after RNZAF units arrived from Green Island. Name on cowl is 'Old Faithful'. Unfortunately, the serial is unknown and the 'last 2' on the fuselage and the undercarriage covers/dive brakes is obscured. Note the 20 bomb mission markers on fuselage in front of the windscreen.

 

And for an idea of what they looked like, here's my effort to replicate 'Lil Audrey' using the Tamiya 1:48 kit made back in 2007.

 

CM0G8sX.jpg

 

Hope these help.

 

Pete M.

 

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1 hour ago, Pete M. said:

white bands on the prop blades and white prop hubs WAS a identifier used by Number 3 Servicing Unit

Thanks Pete,

 

Now that you mention it, I do recall this topic being discussed on Proboards re the White bands.

Should have payed better/more attention in Class :D

 

Thanks/regards

 

Alan

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On 1/8/2021 at 1:11 PM, LDSModeller said:

The photo below is a prime example of reducing to produce - this a fire damaged airframe

PR5738.t5d8a6c99.m800.xztuzPWMy.jpg

(RNZAF Official - RNZAF Museum - Used with Permissions)

That is just very sad to see. 

Edited by Corsairfoxfouruncle
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1 hour ago, Corsairfoxfouruncle said:

That is just very sad to see. 

Hi Dennis,

 

Fortunes of War unfortunately, but yes, still sad to see

RNZAF lost a few by fire in operations

 

Photo above is NZ5343 (F4U-1)

From NZDF Serials - "Destroyed by fire after belly landing at Piva on 13 April 1945, following hydraulic failure.
The aircraft made a wheels up, flapless landing. " - Pilot uninjured

 

 

NZ5367 - 15 Sqn - Green Is -Caught fire in air Test landed and pilot escaped

PR5231.t5ee03e09.m600.x5eaEPGsg.jpg

(RNZAF Official - RNZAF Museum - Used with Permissions)

 

NZ5482 - 16 Sqn (possible Bouganville)  caught fire after crashing off runway

During

ALB023161038.t5de45cdc.m800.x7AU1KTMG.JP

After

ALB901711014.t5e88d445.m600.xf87qW-SE.jp

(RNZAF Official - RNZAF Museum - Used with Permissions)

 

Regards

 

Alan

 

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